Former Manchester United, Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata joins Western Sydney Wanderers as free agent
Juan Mata has joined Australian A-League side Western Sydney Wanderers as a free agent.
The 36-year-old has been without a club since leaving Japanese side Vissel Kobe, for whom he made just one substitute appearance, last year.
The former Valencia, Chelsea, Manchester United and Galatasaray midfielder has now signed a one-year deal with Western Sydney Wanderers.
“I’m really excited to join the Western Sydney Wanderers, the only Australian team to ever win the Asian Champions League, and I cannot wait to arrive and train with the team to prepare for the season ahead,” Mata said.
“I’m feeling grateful and excited for this new adventure, and looking forward to trying to win another Championship in a different league.”
DOESN’T MATA.#WSW #WanderersAnnouncement pic.twitter.com/XJVL99AzSx
— WS Wanderers FC (@wswanderersfc) September 5, 2024
Mata has enjoyed a decorated playing career in which he has won 10 trophies, including the Champions League title with Chelsea, FA Cup trophies with both the west London club and United, alongside league titles for Galatasaray and Vissel Kobe.
The Spaniard is best known for his eight-and-a-half year spell at United, where he scored 51 goals across 285 first-team appearances.
Mata began his career with Real Madrid’s Castilla team before spending four seasons at Valencia and joining Chelsea in 2011, where he scored 33 goals in two-and-a-half seasons before moving to Premier League rivals United.
The attacker spent the 2022-23 season at Galatasaray, helping the club win the Turkish Super Lig title with three goals in 18 matches.
Mata, capped 41 times by Spain, also won the World Cup in 2010 and the European Championship in 2012 with his country.
(Hiroki Watanabe/Getty Images)
